Korea’s bid to globalize higher education faces gaps in funding, support

International students pose after a graduation ceremony at Keimyung University’s Seongseo Campus in Dalseo District, western Daegu, Feb. 18. Yonhap

As universities in Korea grapple with intensifying global competition, many are moving beyond the pursuit of enrollment figures to invest in more robust support systems aimed at enriching the academic, professional and personal lives of international students.

An increase in foreign student numbers at universities in Korea highlights sustained efforts by the government and academic institutions to broaden Korea’s international presence and competitiveness in higher education.

However, critics warn that policies focused solely on attracting international students risk creating gaps in follow-up support and student management.

The biggest challenge in Korea’s push to attract international students is a lack of long-term support beyond enrollment — covering students' education, and later employment and settlement in the country.

Song Ki-chang, chancellor of Sungsan Hyo University and honorary professor at Sookmyung Women’s University, emphasized the importance of refocusing on the core purpose of educating international students.

"The fundamental purpose of international students is to learn about Korea," he said. "By gaining a deeper understanding of the country, they can become advocates for Korea abroad, helping to enhance its image and influence on the global stage even after they return home."

Graphic by Cho Sang-won

Korea has so far focused on increasing international student enrollments, a move which has achieved noticeable outcomes. The number of foreign students in a year surpassed 200,000 for the first time in 2024, according to the Ministry of Education — a milestone that underscores the country’s growing appeal as an academic destination.

In August 2023, the ministry launched the Study Korea 300K Project, aiming to attract 300,000 international students by 2027. The initiative underscores the government’s ambition to establish Korea as a premier destination for global higher education.

As part of this broad initiative, the ministry announced plans to designate specialized zones for international students in collaboration with local governments. It also outlined a phased strategy designed to link the recruitment, education and employment of foreign students with broader regional development objectives.

Universities are also increasingly prioritizing attracting international students.

According to a 2025 survey by the Korean Council for University Education, 60.8 percent of university presidents nationwide cited attracting and educating international students as the second-most important priority following financial aid.

The push to attract international students is tied closely to Korea’s deepening demographic crisis.

In 2023, the country’s total fertility rate fell to a record low of 0.72 — less than half the OECD average — making Korea the only member nation where the figure was below 1. Although the rate has shown a slight uptick in recent months, it remains well below the sustainable population threshold.

This demographic challenge is contributing not only to a shrinking student population but also to a broader labor shortage, raising concerns about long-term national competitiveness.

The government increasingly views international students as a key part of the solution — not only to bolster university enrollments but also to expand the population of foreign residents who may choose to remain in Korea after completing their studies.

An international student seeking employment browses company booths at the 2025 Global Talent Fair at COEX in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, May. 19. Yonhap

Rethinking strategy

However, observers caution that Korea’s strong emphasis on recruiting international students must be matched with long-term support strategies if the country hopes to achieve its broader goal of cultivating global graduates.

The challenge is especially pronounced at universities in rural areas and major metropolitan regions outside Seoul, such as Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, where international recruitment is frequently viewed primarily as a way to secure tuition revenue.

For many universities — particularly those struggling with declining domestic enrollments — attracting international students has become a vital strategy for survival, often resulting in insufficient support and oversight once students arrive on campus.

Song emphasized that Korea must move beyond simply educating international students and instead focus on retaining them as contributors to national growth.

"We need to create pathways for them to stay, work and apply their knowledge within Korean industries and research institutions," he said. "These students can play a key role in enhancing Korea’s global competitiveness."

As part of efforts to better support and manage international students, some universities have established specialized departments dedicated to addressing their unique needs.

"At other departments, international students may not receive much direct support," said Moon Hyung-nam, a professor in the Division of Global Convergence at Sookmyung Women’s University. "But in the specialized department, the school can provide tailored support through mentoring and coaching, which helps students feel they’re truly being supported by the university."

This shift in focus is also reflected in government policy.

The National Institute for International Education (NIIE), which runs the Study in Korea platform supporting both prospective and current students from abroad, plans to hold its first-ever employment briefing and career camp this month for international students.

"In the past, the emphasis was mainly on increasing the number of international students," an official at NIIE said. "But over the past two to three years, there has been a noticeable shift toward better supporting and managing those already studying in Korea."

Graphic by Cho Sang-won

Another growing concern is the lack of national diversity among Korea’s international student population.

As of April 2024, students from China and Vietnam comprised the largest groups, accounting for 34.5 percent and 26.8 percent, respectively, according to the Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI). They were followed by students from Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Japan and the United States, each representing less than 6 percent of the total.

A KEDI official noted that addressing concerns over quantity-driven recruitment will require stronger leadership at the university level. "While government support has its limits, it is ultimately up to universities to explore how they can better educate international students and support those who may wish to settle in Korea," the official said.